Nicola Holland of FunkyEllas Travel blog shares her Cool Place
I have a cool place of my very own, a
gem I probably should keep quiet about so I can have it all to myself. But that
would be greedy.
In the southeast end of Kirkcaldy in Fife, Scotland, is my favourite beach. It's easy to get to from where I live, and so quiet and peaceful that I often escape there to write or walk. It also has beautiful views over the Firth of Forth towards Edinburgh.
The ruins of Ravenscraig Castle, which was acquired by James II for his wife Mary of Gueldres in 1460, overlook it. Many a summer afternoon was spent here in my childhood, climbing the spiral staircases, pretending to be ancient kings and queens. With its position high on the cliff the views here aren't bad either!
The beach is tucked underneath, while a little further along there are small inlets which are used by people braver than me to camp overnight.
Driving along the promenade you would probably just drive right on past the entrance to this little slice of sandy heaven, but once you find the turn-off you won't regret it. It's part of the Fife Coastal Path, 117 miles of coastal path reaching from the Kincardine Bridge to the Tay Bridge, but is not as well known as the neighbouring beaches in the East Neuk, meaning it's never crowded.
A little further along, the walk continues past Seafield towards the little village of Kinghorn. I love watching the seals play on the rocks here and the sea stacks are particularly photogenic.
I find nothing beats sitting on a rock, with my eyes shut, listening to the water lap and the birds sing. I love the smell of the sea breeze and the fact that there's no noise other than noise naturally made.
Bliss! But shhhh, don't tell anyone.....
Nicola is a Scottish travel writer and photographer based in Fife, Scotland, searching out beautiful sunrises, hidden gems, amazing food and fascinating tales. She likes to write about things that are different, unusual, quirky and unique, and blogs at FunkyEllas Travel
Images by Nicola Holland, except Ravenscraig Castle by Magnus Hagdorn, via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
